Comments for Empathic Parenting Blog http://empathic-parenting.com/blog Empowering parents to create positive and respectful relationships with their children Sun, 16 May 2010 04:31:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Children and Water by Natalie Norman http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27&cpage=1#comment-289 Natalie Norman Sun, 16 May 2010 04:31:34 +0000 http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27#comment-289 I have to agree with SeatteSally. We had a friend's child drown in a backyard pool at the age of 4 because he couldn't swim. He got in through a gate someone had left open during a party. Horrible tragedy, but one that could have been prevented had he been a bit more confident in the water. Kids don't have to be on a swim team, but it is a matter of safety. We teach our kids not to play in the street for the same reason. We may not always be there. I have to agree with SeatteSally. We had a friend’s child drown in a backyard pool at the age of 4 because he couldn’t swim. He got in through a gate someone had left open during a party. Horrible tragedy, but one that could have been prevented had he been a bit more confident in the water. Kids don’t have to be on a swim team, but it is a matter of safety. We teach our kids not to play in the street for the same reason. We may not always be there.

]]> Comment on Children and Water by SeatteSally http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27&cpage=1#comment-47 SeatteSally Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:24:33 +0000 http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27#comment-47 Every summer a teenage boy is on the news because he did not want to admit to his friends that he couldn't swim well. Where I live there are bodies of water in every direction. The Summer Sun brings out the kids and every year a parents worst fear comes true. I agree forcing kids to take lessons is not the right approach. But there are private lessons that are affordable. There are also instruction guides so the parent can teach the child in a loving non-threatening manner. We have no way of knowing what skills our child will need later in life. Swimming is a basic one that can save thier life or the life of someone else. Every summer a teenage boy is on the news because he did not want to admit to his friends that he couldn’t swim well. Where I live there are bodies of water in every direction. The Summer Sun brings out the kids and every year a parents worst fear comes true. I agree forcing kids to take lessons is not the right approach. But there are private lessons that are affordable. There are also instruction guides so the parent can teach the child in a loving non-threatening manner. We have no way of knowing what skills our child will need later in life. Swimming is a basic one that can save thier life or the life of someone else.

]]> Comment on Expectations by sarah http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=23&cpage=1#comment-45 sarah Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:49:44 +0000 http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/2008/expectations/#comment-45 Serendipity! Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely. Serendipity! Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely.

]]> Comment on Expectations by Kristi Palmer http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=23&cpage=1#comment-44 Kristi Palmer Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:09:10 +0000 http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/2008/expectations/#comment-44 Is the word you're searching for 'hope'? (...where one can simultaneously hold a view and expectation of what is wanted while also trusting and believing that it is on it’s way and that the current moment is exactly as it is supposed to be.) The Bible says hope does not disappoint - the source of hope makes the difference. Kristi ;-] Is the word you’re searching for ‘hope’? (…where one can simultaneously hold a view and expectation of what is wanted while also trusting and believing that it is on it’s way and that the current moment is exactly as it is supposed to be.) The Bible says hope does not disappoint – the source of hope makes the difference.
Kristi ;-]

]]> Comment on Children and Water by Shez http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27&cpage=1#comment-42 Shez Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:33:14 +0000 http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27#comment-42 I could have written that post. Ben only learned to swim at the end of the summer he was 6. At the beginning of that summer he told mme that he was going to use a floaty until he was tall enough to walk everywhere in the pool Now he swims like a fish, but still with goggles firmly in place. I know how he feels as I can't tolerate water on my face, let alone in my eyes. Had to laugh at AnotherAmy's comment about shampoo and baths. That sounds like our home. I could have written that post. Ben only learned to swim at the end of the summer he was 6. At the beginning of that summer he told mme that he was going to use a floaty until he was tall enough to walk everywhere in the pool

Now he swims like a fish, but still with goggles firmly in place. I know how he feels as I can’t tolerate water on my face, let alone in my eyes.

Had to laugh at AnotherAmy’s comment about shampoo and baths. That sounds like our home.

]]> Comment on Children and Water by AnotherAmy http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27&cpage=1#comment-41 AnotherAmy Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:14:40 +0000 http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27#comment-41 Lisa, that's a very unschooly post. :) Our kids usually only have a bath every 1.5-2 weeks. They tend to get more grubby in the summer, though. And of course, we don't use shampoo, LOL. Absolutely, there are kids with sensory issues (mine) who decide swimming is for the birds. DH and I talk about this a lot -- our younger siblings were both terrified of the water and couldn't ride bikes, either. Both drown while staying at a hotel (both were rescued). So when we discuss the topic of eventual swim lessons, it's with those memories in mind. Also, it's pretty nerve wracking having more than one non-swimming child with you at the pool. At a local zero-depth entry pool this winter, my younger child kept going farther and farther into the deep end until the water was an inch over her head. It really does just take 15 seconds of looking away for something to happen. Of course, comfort with the situation for everyone involved doesn't happen without exposure, which means this mom has to get over her fear, too. Lisa, that’s a very unschooly post. :)

Our kids usually only have a bath every 1.5-2 weeks. They tend to get more grubby in the summer, though. And of course, we don’t use shampoo, LOL.

Absolutely, there are kids with sensory issues (mine) who decide swimming is for the birds. DH and I talk about this a lot — our younger siblings were both terrified of the water and couldn’t ride bikes, either. Both drown while staying at a hotel (both were rescued). So when we discuss the topic of eventual swim lessons, it’s with those memories in mind. Also, it’s pretty nerve wracking having more than one non-swimming child with you at the pool. At a local zero-depth entry pool this winter, my younger child kept going farther and farther into the deep end until the water was an inch over her head. It really does just take 15 seconds of looking away for something to happen.

Of course, comfort with the situation for everyone involved doesn’t happen without exposure, which means this mom has to get over her fear, too.

]]> Comment on About Lisa by Emery Smith http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?page_id=2&cpage=1#comment-40 Emery Smith Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:56:07 +0000 #comment-40 Good insights! How do your faith-based beliefs relate to your foundation of good child-rearing practices? Just curious! You obviously consider yourself a steward of all that is within a child. Very helpful information! Keep it up! Emery Good insights!

How do your faith-based beliefs relate to your foundation of good child-rearing practices? Just curious! You obviously consider yourself a steward of all that is within a child. Very helpful information!

Keep it up!

Emery

]]> Comment on Expectations by Emery Smith http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=23&cpage=1#comment-39 Emery Smith Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:48:06 +0000 http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/2008/expectations/#comment-39 Great summary view of expectations: I have recently revised my thinking of myself as a 'cheerful half-full glass' kind of guy because of an understanding that I only see myself as that because of empty expectations that have filled the glass in my mind. So forget the twelve ounces and go back to six ounces of contentment...can't take credit for this concept, came from a conversation with GOD. By the way, don't know the original source of your favorite comment: And then of course, my long-time and oft-quoted favorite: “Expectations are resentments under construction.” ...but I found the jazz singer Kenny Rankin quoted it too and it resonated with me! Be blessed and keep writing! You are a real asset to pareenting. I have raised five! Emery Smith, emery.smith@sbcglobal.net Great summary view of expectations:

I have recently revised my thinking of myself as a ‘cheerful half-full glass’ kind of guy because of an understanding that I only see myself as that because of empty expectations that have filled the glass in my mind. So forget the twelve ounces and go back to six ounces of contentment…can’t take credit for this concept, came from a conversation with GOD.

By the way, don’t know the original source of your favorite comment:

And then of course, my long-time and oft-quoted favorite:

“Expectations are resentments under construction.”

…but I found the jazz singer Kenny Rankin quoted it too and it resonated with me!

Be blessed and keep writing! You are a real asset to pareenting. I have raised five!

Emery Smith, emery.smith@sbcglobal.net

]]> Comment on Children and Water by Amy http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27&cpage=1#comment-37 Amy Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:18:59 +0000 http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27#comment-37 oh- and also- Archie passed level one last year, but informed the swim people he'd be taking it again this year because he didn't want to spend a lot of time putting his head in the water. oh- and also- Archie passed level one last year, but informed the swim people he’d be taking it again this year because he didn’t want to spend a lot of time putting his head in the water.

]]> Comment on Children and Water by Amy http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27&cpage=1#comment-36 Amy Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:06:53 +0000 http://empathic-parenting.com/blog/?p=27#comment-36 I find swim lessons hard to manage too- Carter spent several years saying "No thanks, I'd prefer not to" when asked to get his head wet. Fortunately, there's a place here in town that emphasizes *not* scaring your kids. In fact, I once saw the director do the coolest maneuver to prevent a new teacher from pressuring a kid to dive while maintaining the dignity of the kid, the confused parent and the new teacher. Basically he empathized with the teacher's "enthusiasm," the child's hesitation and clarified their policy on letting kids take their own time- part of this from across the olympic size pool. What's harder for me to navigate is figuring out when to throw in the towel and stop the lessons- as long as they're having fun, we stick with it, even if I have to emphasize the importance of respecting my kids' "No thanks, I'd prefer not to." There are a lot of upset parents at swim lessons- likely worried about the same things! I find swim lessons hard to manage too- Carter spent several years saying “No thanks, I’d prefer not to” when asked to get his head wet. Fortunately, there’s a place here in town that emphasizes *not* scaring your kids. In fact, I once saw the director do the coolest maneuver to prevent a new teacher from pressuring a kid to dive while maintaining the dignity of the kid, the confused parent and the new teacher. Basically he empathized with the teacher’s “enthusiasm,” the child’s hesitation and clarified their policy on letting kids take their own time- part of this from across the olympic size pool.

What’s harder for me to navigate is figuring out when to throw in the towel and stop the lessons- as long as they’re having fun, we stick with it, even if I have to emphasize the importance of respecting my kids’ “No thanks, I’d prefer not to.” There are a lot of upset parents at swim lessons- likely worried about the same things!

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